Developed by Walker Corporation – Australia’s largest private, diversified property development company – Collins Square occupies an entire block at the western end of Melbourne’s CBD.

Comprising five premium commercial office towers and the refurbished Southern Goods Shed with a combined NLA of 250,000m², the precinct is home to a number of blue-chip tenants as well as over 40 retailers.

Managed by Walker Corporation’s facility management team (Collins Square Management), the five towers have been awarded a minimum NABERS Energy 5 star rating reflecting their energy efficient design and operation.

In early-2022, Walker Fire Protection was invited to tender for the precinct’s fire service maintenance contract.

A member of the A.G. Coombs Group, Walker Fire Protection was subsequently awarded the contract with technicians commencing on site mid-year.

Working collaboratively with the on site facility management team, all Walker Fire Protection technicians are employed in-house to ensure a consistent, high level of service befitting the precinct’s premium status.

“We have recruited some of the industry’s best technicians and contract managers over the past six months as we strive to be the number one fire services contractor in the country,” says Andrew McGregor, General Manager for Walker Fire Protection.

Engaged to provide preventative, corrective and reactive service and maintenance of the precinct’s fire services, the scope of works includes maintenance, inspection and testing of all smoke detectors, fire sprinklers, fire doors, hydrants, hose reels and the precinct’s emergency warning and mixed communication system.

Walker Fire Protection will also take a proactive approach to asset management through asset lifecycle analysis.

“Along with our investment in people, Walker Fire has invested heavily in the latest technology to ensure we remain market leaders in innovation,” says Andrew.

This innovation includes measures to prevent major water damage such as proactive pipe thickness testing. While not currently required under Australian Standards, Walker Fire Protection offers this testing as part of annual inspections and finds it particularly beneficial in older buildings.

Vacuum technology, which removes water from the fire sprinkler system, is also being deployed to allow sprinkler head replacement to be completed without risk of water damage to client premises.